I am a general cardiologist at Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute. I care for patients with a wide variety of heart conditions, which can present and manifest differently for male and female patients. I am also interested in atherosclerotic heart disease (hardening of the arteries) prevention and preventing further events in patients who already suffer from this prevalent condition or are cancer survivors with a high risk of cardiovascular disease.

I am certified in cardiology, echocardiography, nuclear imaging and clinical lipidology, which allows me to evaluate patients with genetic disorders that predispose them to cardiovascular disease at a young age.

I am not sure what first inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, but I feel as if it has always been my calling. Being a cardiologist is simply part of who I am as a person; I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I enjoy having the opportunity to help people make good choices regarding their health.

When meeting a new patient for the first time, I try to get to know them as a person, not just focus on their symptoms or health history. I want to have an idea of their personality and who they are, especially if the patient comes to establish care for a chronic condition and I will be taking care of them for a long period of time. I must understand how their health, condition and symptoms are impacting their life so that I can help them feel their best.

In addition to providing patient care, I also love staying current on the latest research, especially regarding lipid molecules and their relation to premature coronary artery disease. As new information and treatments become available, I want to be able to offer them to my patients.

Hospital Affiliations

• Memorial Hospital Pembroke
• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital

Gender

• Female

Languages

• Spanish
• English

Education

Universidad Libre de Cali, 2005

Internships

University of Miami - Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2010, Internal Medicine

Residency

University of Miami - Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2012, Internal Medicine

Fellowships

University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2015, Cardiovascular Disease

Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular Disease

Publications

Please view Dr. Lynda Otalvaro-Orozco’s publications on PubMed.

Professional Organizations

• American College of Cardiology, Florida Chapter
• American College of Cardiology
• American Society of Preventive Cardiology
• National Lipid Association
• American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
• Women in Cardiology
• American College of Cardiology

Presentations

• Otalvaro L, Damluji A, Hawk C, Novoa I, Marzouka G, Al-Damluji M, Martinez CA. Baseline Physical Activity and Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Analysis from BARI2D Trial. 15-QCOR-A-376-AHA. Quality Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke; 2015, Orlando, FL.
• Otalvaro L, Villarraga H, Pellikka P, Kane G, Miller F, McCully R. Diastolic function in patients with a positive exercise stress echocardiogram. Circulation. 2011; 124: A14094, American Heart Association; 2011, Orlando, FL.

Awards

• ACC Early Career Legislative Conference Travel Award 2017 Legislative Conference, Washington D.C., 2017
• Finalist for the Women in Cardiology Trainee Award for Excellence Council on Clinical Cardiology, American Heart Association, 2015